Opening Week 2 of the 2022 season, Los Angeles @Kansas City, here we cover the DraftKings showdown slate. Two divisional rivals that are likely to be going at it to try to lead the division and make a run in the playoffs. Both offenses are stacked and will be wanting to put their marker in the game.
DraftKings TNF Showdown 2022 – Los Angeles @Kansas City Captain Picks
Patrick Mahomes ($17,700)
Mahomes is a prime captain pick. Top-tier talent, playing at home. There isn’t much more to add. In the seven times that he has faced the Chargers he has thrown for an average of 261 yards, 2.3 TDs, and 0.7 INTs, an average of 18.94 DKPts (but that average doesn’t take into consideration the Passing game bonus which he is capable of. Mahomes may have lost Tyreek Hill, but it looks like they have found a way to keep their offense moving effectively.
Mike Williams ($13,500)
Williams I have a feeling will be faded by a number of people, who look at the box score from the weekend and move away from him. But, I can’t see the team taking the same receiver-by-committee approach when they have been given time to prepare for life without Keenan Allen. Instead, I fancy Williams to have a good game and be the focal
DraftKings TNF Showdown 2022 – Los Angeles @Kansas City Flex Picks
Travis Kelce ($11,000)
Hill may have left the team, but Kelce is still there and the primary receiver for the Chiefs. He once again led the team in targets, reception, and receiving yards. It’s a big price tag, but the Chargers have been a team that Kelce has really excelled against. In the games he played against the Chargers since 2019, he has caught an average of 7 passes for 100 yards and 1 TD. If you manage to stack him up with Mahomes, you are going to need to find value elsewhere, but it is possible.
Austin Ekeler ($10,200)
Ekeler is a big part of the Chargers offense, working as the primary running back and a big part of their passing game. He has scored against the Chiefs in each of the last three games against them, and should be able to keep that streak going. He wasn’t overly efficient against the Raiders in Week 1, but still was given the volume- and should continue to.
Tre’ McKitty ($400)
This slate has so many pieces that you want to put into your lineup, so looking for real savings is hard. McKitty was on the field on a number of plays though, which gives him the opportunity to hit value. He was able to catch 3 of his 4 targets for 24 yards against the Raiders, which would be more than enough to hit huge value at this price.
Isiah Pacheco ($4,400)
Pacheco followed up the positive stories out of camp with a strong showing in Week 1. He led the team in carries, with 12 carries for 62 yards and a score. The mark against him is that he wasn’t given a single target. So Pacheco could find himself playing a limited role, if the game script goes against the Chiefs.
DeAndre Carter ($4,600)
Carter really took the opportunity of Keenan Allen being forced out of the game. He ended up with the same 4 targets as (nearly) all of the receivers on the Chargers roster, but he was by far the most efficient. He caught three of the passes for 64 yards and a score. The Cardinals secondary receiver, Greg Dortch, had an effective game against the Chiefs secondary- so Carter is a good value on the slate.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling ($6,400)
If I’m not stacking Mahomes with Kelce, then I’m looking at Valdes-Scantling. Juju Smith-Schuster may have led the wide receivers in targets, but the price difference between Smith-Schuster and Kelce isn’t enough to make me really want to pivot. Instead, I’d opt for Valdes-Scantling. He was on the field more than any other receiver, and has that big-play ability with his deep threat.
DraftKings TNF Showdown 2022 – Los Angeles @Kansas City Kickers and DSTs
I’m not looking to take either DST here, as both offenses are full of effective weapons and both are capable of putting up points. However, I’d be interested in the kickers. Kansas City just declared Harrison Butker ($4,000) out, which likely puts Matt Ammendola ($4,000) into the starting lineup. With that uncertainty, I’d look to Dustin Hopkins ($3,800) instead. But I’d limit my exposure to him in this matchup.
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Image Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports
